The UK government has announced that from autumn 2026, supermarkets and pubs across England and Wales will be permitted to accept digital identification for alcohol purchases, eliminating the requirement for physical documents such as passports or driving licences.
New Rules for Alcohol Retailers
In a written statement to the House of Commons, Policing and Crime Minister Sarah Jones confirmed that the Licensing Act 2003 will be amended to allow the use of certified Digital Verification Services (DVS) for age verification. This change applies to all licensed premises, including major supermarkets like Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's, Morrisons, Aldi, Lidl, and Waitrose, as well as pubs and clubs.
Currently, customers who appear under 25 are required to show physical documents bearing a photograph, date of birth, and security features to prove they are over 18. The new law will permit digital proof of age, provided it is presented through a DVS that is certified against the UK DVS trust framework and appears on the statutory register on GOV.UK.
Minister's Statement
Jones stated: “Today I am pleased to inform the House that those members of the public who are fortunate enough to look younger than their age, but are always having to carry their passport or driving licence to prove they are 18 or over to buy a pint in a pub, will soon no longer have this dilemma. In future, digital ID will be a quick and secure way to prove age without revealing any additional personal details to bar staff, and will mean that passports can be left safely at home by those who choose this option.”
She added that the change would align legislation with modern technology and consumer habits, while still allowing those who prefer physical documents to continue using them.
How Digital ID Will Work
Certified digital verification services, such as the free Yoti and Post Office EasyID apps, will allow individuals to verify their age using a range of identity evidence, including physical documents, information held by public authorities, and government-issued digital credentials like the upcoming digital driving licence. There will be no requirement to use a specific source of identity evidence when using a DVS for alcohol purchases.
The statutory instrument is subject to parliamentary procedure and is expected to come into effect in autumn 2026. An Economic Note will be published alongside the instrument on legislation.gov.uk.
Industry Reaction
Robin Tombs, CEO of Yoti, commented: “The acceptance of digital IDs for alcohol sales is a major milestone for the UK. This will transform how people prove their age at licensed premises including supermarkets, convenience stores, bars, pubs and nightclubs. We’ve been working towards this for years. When we started Yoti in 2014, young adults told us they wanted to use our app at the supermarket and on nights out. We’re excited this will soon become a reality.” He noted that the technology will empower businesses to confidently accept digital IDs, ensuring compliance while improving the customer experience.
Key Objectives
The government aims to maintain core licensing objectives, including protecting children from harm, by ensuring digital age checks are as robust as checks using physical documents. The change also seeks to reduce the need for carrying sensitive physical documents, enhancing convenience and security for consumers.
